§ 26. Mr. Brewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it is his policy to maintain the war preference element for all war-disabled pensioners and to take full account of the effects of inflation on money values.
§ Mr. DeanThe Government are committed to an annual review of war pensions and allowances in the light of changes in the cost of living. The war pensions preferences are being maintained in the increased rates payable in October to war disablement pensioners and war widows.
§ Mr. BrewisIs it not the case that only about 27 per cent. of the most disabled have their preferences kept in line with the cost of living? Is there not a case for introducing an all-embracing service allowance to cover the other 73 per cent. of war pensioners?
§ Mr. DeanThe preferences are being maintained but they are being concentrated on the most severely disabled and on the war widows, as is shown by the fact that all the main allowances for the severely disabled and war widows were increased last year or this year, and in many cases in both years.